Good set of aftermarket A arms?

[Skunksmash]

I wanted to ask what yall thought of the A arms on these old trucks. I also wanted to ask how much better they can be, if you have a good set of aftermarkets. Not for offroading, for street only please. My truck is not a 4X4. What do the supposedly better aftermarket A arms have to offer? Just to clraify we are talking about the front suspension piece that holds the springs in, at the bottom. Anyway, are there any advantages to the ones that they sell, that look like they are just some tubing welded together and painted? How about disadvantages?

[eventhorizon66]

Reduced weight and increased rigidity would be high on my list of positives.  But it seems impossible to get a response on how much lighter (if at all) the arms from CPP are.  Also they may have more positive caster built into them, which could improve steering "feel".  But that would depend on the driver's preference.

[Skunksmash]

whats ccp?

[Captkaos]

Inless you are lowering a truck there is no benefit to going to a set of aftermarket arms other than looks.

[eventhorizon66]

CPP is Classic Performance Products: http://www.classicperform.com/

These are the A-arms they offer for our trucks:


I disagree with Capt's statement that there is NO benefit other than looks, citing my two previous advantages (not necessarily based on current market offerings).  But I will concede that the benefit-to-cost ratio is probably very low, so they may not represent a good investment, unless you are trying to get every last bit out of the factory design.

[87GMC2WD]

Sorry to thread steal here, but my upper control arms are starting to rot away, ive got holes everywhere. who makes the best replacement? i might do lower spindles in the near future but nothing crazy like bags

[VileZambonie]

Do you just want a factory replacement? Go to a junk yard or get one from your local parts vendor.

[Skunksmash]

Seems like all those welds on the aftermarket pics would be a lot weaker than the factory solidness.

[ms4972]

The tubular a-arms are going to be stronger than the stamped steel steel factory units.  They also offer more ground clearance.  As for weight savings I will confirm that tomorrow.

[Captkaos]

Just wanted to state that if they are lowered control arms they offer LESS ground clearance.  I haven't seen any that offer a significant amount of extra ground clearance.  And the tubular ones I have weigh more.

[ms4972]

I apologize for not being specific.  I was referencing the CPP arms, not dropped arms.  I am surpised that companies out there still market drop a-arms.

When I made the switch from factory to tubular arms I stopped dragging my arms on certain driveways.  The extra ground clearance may be minimal, but I will take it.

[Captkaos]

They still make them because there are an alternative to spindles and an effective lowering component and there is a demand for them.  It is MUCH easier/faster to make a drop control arm that it is to re-engineer a spindle with drop.